Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday claimed that attempts were being made to destabilise the National Conference (NC) government by luring its legislators.
He said he was aware that some of the MLAs had been offered Rs 20-30 crore for defections, along with promises of power, ministerial positions and assurances linked to the restoration of full statehood.
During his media interaction at Hazratbal on the 26th death anniversary of Begum Akbar Jehan Abdullah, Omar said one of the MLAs was lured with lucrative money and a ministerial position if he defects from the current dispensation.
In an indirect swipe at the Opposition parties in the region, he alleged that they were trying to engineer defections rather than accept the mandate delivered by the voters in the Assembly elections held after a gap of 10 years in the Union Territory.
Omar added that his party had shown immense patience over the repeated delays in the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. However, he said, his party's patience should not be considered as a weakness. The party would continue to fight for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly the restoration of statehood, he added.
He reaffirmed that restoring statehood remains the National Conference's top priority. Omar said the party would continue to press for its demand for statehood through peaceful and democratic means, including a party event and a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on July 20, if permission is granted.
Omar said party intends to keep pushing for it through peaceful, democratic channels — including a scheduled party event on July 20 and a planned protest at JantarMantar in New Delhi on July 20, contingent on receiving permission
He made these comments while paying floral tributes to the late Begum Akbar Jehan on her death anniversary in Hazratbal, Srinagar.
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